Article Reveals How to Answer the Really Tough Questions

For immediate release                                  Contact:    Ed Barks
Monday, March 18, 2013                                               (540) 955-0600

Public affairs and public relations experts answer questions all day long—from reporters, audiences, and policymakers. Of equal importance, these communicators must also teach their spokespeople how to effectively manage their responses in similar circumstances.

They now have another resource to help guide them through this complex process thanks to an article by Ed Barks in the online publication All About Public Relations.

The article is titled, “How to Answer the Really Tough Questions: When relentless reporters and opinion leaders really dig in.” Barks begins by writing, “Every single day your spokespeople answer questions from reporters, public officials, and other audiences. Unfortunately, few give any forethought to managing their responses.”

His advice goes on to describe the benefits of managing Q&A responses, how to anticipate hard-hitting questions, and how to sort questions into more easily manageable categories.

“Q&A management is an important part of every communicator’s responsibilities,” Barks said. “Few of us enjoy the opportunity of delivering a message in an unfiltered fashion. This article provides a solid grounding in the basics of Q&A strategies.

“It explains how to turn the conversation more in your direction and to assert control,” he continued, “and revolves around bottom line benefits that provide a boost to an executive’s career and to his organization’s long-term performance.”

The article is available at aboutpublicrelations.net/ucbarks2.htm. It is based upon Barks’ position paper, “Does Anybody Have Any Questions for My Answers? The 411 on Q&A.”

Ed Barks zeroes in on the messages and skills that executives need on a daily basis. They gain sharper verbal and nonverbal talents, greater confidence, more opportunities for career advancement, and achievement of long-term business goals. He is the author of The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations. As President of Barks Communications since 1997, he has taught more than 4400 business leaders, association executives, and other experts how to succeed when they deal with the media, deliver presentations, and testify before government officials.

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